BCJ: The 56th annual World's Largest Rattlesnake RoundUp

Scenes from the final day of the roundup in Sweetwater

Ronald W. Erdrich/Reporter-News Thomas Duncan digs in during the rattlesnake-eating contest Sunday at the 56th World’s Largest Rattlesnake RoundUp in Sweetwater. Organizers said 3,890 pounds of rattlesnakes were brought in by hunters during the four-day event.

Abilene Reporter-News

Ronald W. Erdrich/Reporter-News Sweetwater Jaycee Gene Bartlett holds a western diamondback rattlesnake by the neck in the milking pit at the annual World’s Largest Rattlesnake Roundup at the Nolan County Coliseum on Sunday. Organizers said 3,890 pounds of rattlesnakes were brought in by hunters over the four-day event..

Abilene Reporter-News

Ronald W. Erdrich/Reporter-News Johnny Decker balances items for his daughter Jessica, 6, during Sunday’s 56th annual World’s Largest Rattlesnake RoundUp at the Nolan County Coliseum. Large numbers of people turned out for the last day as the weather warmed.

Abilene Reporter-News

Ronald W. Erdrich/Reporter-News Miss Snake Charmer Hannah Smith, 16, reaches up to cut the internal organs from the rattlesnake she was skinning during the World’s Largest Rattlesnake RoundUp at the Nolan County Coliseum in Sweetwater on Sunday.

Abilene Reporter-News

Ronald W. Erdrich/Reporter-News Junior Jaycees skin rattlesnakes in the skinning pit Sunday at the World’s Largest Rattlesnake RoundUp in Sweetwater.

Abilene Reporter-News

Ronald W. Erdrich/Reporter-News Sweetwater Jaycee Cal Parks measures Rick Parker’s beard during the Longest Beard contest Sunday at the 56th World’s Largest Rattlesnake RoundUp in Sweetwater. Parker, of Fort Worth, was declared the winner at 9.25 inches. On Sunday, the last day of the roundup, organizers said 3,890 pounds of rattlesnakes were brought in by hunters.

Ronald W. Erdrich/Reporter-News Brian Walker and his son Colten, 8, watch as one of the Sweetwater Jaycees brings a western diamondback rattlesnake up for a closer look Sunday, the last day of the 56th annual World’s Largest Rattlesnake RoundUp. Organizers said 3,890 pounds of rattlesnakes were brought in by hunters.

Abilene Reporter-News

Ronald W. Erdrich/Reporter-News Alaina Andrews, 16, cringes as the rattlesnake she was about to skin twitches slightly while hanging from the rope Sunday. Even though the snake’s head was chopped off, twitching is not uncommon because of the animal’s nervous system. Sunday was the last day of the 56th annual World’s Largest Rattlesnake RoundUp. Organizers said 3,890 pounds of rattlesnakes were brought in by hunters.

Abilene Reporter-News

Ronald W. Erdrich/Reporter-News Alaina Andrews looks up at the wall behind the skinning pit where her bloody handprints were placed alongside other skinners over the weekend during the 56th annual World’s Largest Rattlesnake RoundUp on Sunday.

Abilene Reporter-News

Ronald W. Erdrich/Reporter-News Joseph Milner, 8, snacks on french fries in the skinning pit at the 56th annual World’s Largest Rattlesnake RoundUp at Nolan County Coliseum on Sunday, the last day of the roundup.